Forehead support for facial mask

Abstract

The present invention discloses an adjustable forehead support for a nasal or full-face mask wherein the forehead support may be adjusted for the different shapes and sizes of a facial profile. The forehead support utilizes a dual-arm system that adjusts the position of the forehead support vis-á-vis the mask and/or airflow tube. The angle of the mask to the face may be adjusted with the present invention.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A respiratory mask with a coupling structure, comprising:
 a first arm and a second arm each having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein: 
 the arms are positioned to be opposed to one another and are resiliently flexible into a common space upon compression, 
 one of the arms includes an upper mating portion and the other of the arms includes a lower mating portion, whereby the upper and lower mating portions mate upon full compression of arms to prevent or reduce torsion between the arms relative to one another and separate upon release of the arms. 
 
     
     
       2. The respiratory mask according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the upper and lower mating portions includes a chevron-shaped slot and a chevron-shaped projection. 
     
     
       3. A forehead support constructed and arranged to be connected to and support a respiratory mask, comprising:
 a bridge constructed and arranged to engage a forehead of a user; 
 a first arm having a bridge end and a mask end; and 
 a second arm having a bridge end and a mask end, 
 wherein each of the first and second arms includes an extending portion defining upper and lower flange portions each having a proximal end, a distal end and a central portion, wherein a width of each flange portion along the proximal and central portions is substantially wider than a width of the distal end, and 
 wherein the width of each flange portion is greater than a corresponding thickness of the flange portion in the proximal and central portions. 
 
     
     
       4. The forehead support according to  claim 3 , wherein each of the upper and lower flange portions includes a generally oval depression. 
     
     
       5. A forehead support constructed and arranged to be connected to and support a respiratory mask, comprising:
 a bridge constructed and arranged to engage a forehead of a user; 
 a first arm having a bridge end and a mask end; and 
 a second arm having a bridge end and a mask end, 
 wherein each of the first and second arms defines upper and lower arm portions, wherein each of the upper and lower arm portions is tapered down from a proximal end to a distal end thereof. 
 
     
     
       6. The forehead support according to  claim 5 , wherein a space is provided between the upper and lower arm portions, the space having a generally trapezoidal shape.